Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-11-11
NY FIRST CASE
JOHN JASPER.

cen practicing law about six
months with Indifferent success. / had
done little Office business. but the great
case which was to bring my name
prominently before the public and
launch me upon career of professional
success, had not yet been placed in my
hands. [ spent good deal of time
preparing for it; but as l was unable to
foresee whether it would be civil or o
criminal suit, railroad or murder
case, my reading was necessarily of a
rather general character.
I was young at this period of this
history, too young, in fact, to expect
much business, though, of course, my
youth was not so palpable to me as to
other less prejudiced observers. In
fact ] was only %. and the downy
mustache which adorned my upper lip
furnished an escape-valve for great
deal of my superduous energy. I
spent in cultivating it the time which
might have boon employed in the con-
duct of important legal business, if the
world had not been too busy to per-
ceive my merits.
l was not, however. in need of money.
L had been educated by a wealthy
uncle, who died q short time after be-
gan the practice of the law, and left
me sole heir to considerable fortune
Some young fellows would have neg
aected their business after such q stroke
of good fortune, bus 1 had always been
inclined to take a serious view of life,
and regarded my fortune as placing
upon me an additional weight Of re-
sponslbility, by reason of which greater
things would be expected of me; and
therefore applied myself all the more
assiduously to my books.
One morning when 1 was seated in
my Office, deeply absorbed in the
perusal OF volume on Criminal Evi,
ience, q timid knock ut the door
brought my heels to the floor, Us ]
exclaimed, "Come in" It was eyi.
IDENTIFY some ono on business, and some
one unaccustomed TO lawyers Offices, al
which custom, us rule. does not re.
uuire a visitor to knock before enter.
ing-an ill-natured man or disap'
pointed litigant would probably say
tha spider does not stand or ceremony
with the fly.
The door was opened, and there
stepped into the room female figure
closely yelled.
"Is this Mr.. Lacy?" was asked, il
the sweetest voice had ever heard
which thrilled my susceptible heart te
the core.
"I am Mr.. Lacy" answered. "Pra,
be seated" and I placed chair for hel
facing my own.
She moved across the floor with ,
willowy grace which I had seen only il
women of the highest refinement, ant
in but few Of those: without seeing he
face, / set her down rs belonging tt
the upper class of society. Every de
tail of her dress bore out this assump
fion
She raised her veil and revealed t.
me the most beautiful face that I hav,
ever seen-before or since. 1t wa
perfect in outline and in color, and Il
this physical perfection was added tn
indefnable but distinct expression of {
superior mind-the stamp of intel
lectuality. Her beauty was heightened
I thought, by an anxious expression
which stirred the limpid depths of he
fine eyes, and which I justly connected
with the business Oh which she hal
called to see me.
II am Miss Nortl1rup." she said, ex
tracing from q tiny morocco card cas-
a delicate bit of pasteboard, which sh'
handed to me. I read the inscription
"Grace Northrup, 1916 Fifth Ave.
All! My impression had been correct
she was an aristocrat. and unmarried
at which my heart thrilled again.
trust the reader will not despise me-
was man, and very young.
II was directed to you. Mr.. Lacy,
she continued, folding her slender hand
on her lap and leaning slightly forwar.
with her eyes fixed full upon my face
"for legal advice and assistance. for on
who is very dear to me. know tina
Zor are young lawyer. but I am no